Continue reading »]]> #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: fixed; top: 60%; left: 70px; } #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { width: 50%; padding-top: 1px; } #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float: left; margin: 4px 4px 4px 4px; }

I’m a student of engagement and feedback. I think they’re related on micro and macro levels. Perhaps even on a continuum. A micro engagement could be a small as a glance exchanged between two people. A macro engagement could be – no it doesn’t have to do with a ring – a community wide, civic engagement activity that spans months or even years.

Feedback is similar. Micro feedback can also be a glance or a “look”. You know, the one your mom gave you when you were about to misbehave in a restaurant. Macro level feedback can be as large scale and long term as a longitudinal research project about health outcomes or educational initiatives.

I also think that feedback on a micro level can improve outcomes at a macro or community level. The sum of the parts kind of thing.

In behavioral health, many counsellors use a system of feedback called My Outcomes. I’ve posted on it before but due to the originators of the system restructuring their organization the links may be broken, so here’s a link to their new site and video. Don’t let the medical profession type language scare you off. The system itself is easy, effective and brilliant. I used it for the last few years that I worked as a counselor and even the most street entrenched of my clients loved it. They loved it because it offered them an opportunity to tell me clearly what they thought and felt about our relationship and time together.

The feedback, provided through the My Outcomes tool, increased the engagement of both the client and I, in the counselling process.

I have also used the tool (which comes in a paper version that any individual can use for free on Barry Duncan’s website by the way) to get feedback from groups that I’ve facilitated. And to be fair here is link to Scott Miller‘s resource page. Miller and Duncan co-created the system and then had some kind of change in their relationship, each taking a different path.

Anyway, in thinking about feedback, engagement and then having a Twitter conversation with @pmacoun that began with the cool things he’s doing with claymation in his classroom which eventually lead to swapping VoiceThread links. His first link is this charming story created by his daughter and captured on the VoiceThread mobile app. The second link he shared was to a really awesome example of digital storytelling by Grade One students at Aspengrove School in Nanaimo BC.

The VoiceThreads got me to thinking about my own experiences in elementary school and I had an epiphany about siloed curriculum and classes in high school being evil, but will save that for another post. It also got me thinking about how I would like to see VoiceThread used for feedback and community engagement. See, if you stick with me long enough I eventually get back around to the point

Wouldn’t it be amazing to start a VoiceThread for each child in a class at the beginning of the school year and use it to provide both a space for reflection (for older kids) and for a space to provide ongoing formative feedback in the  tone of appreciative inquiry?

Lets say Johnny is a grade three student. At the beginning of the year his teacher would take a picture of him or better yet a short video. Johnny could add comments, his teacher could say something she has come to appreciate about Johnny, other teachers and even his classmates could add a comment or two. This could be done monthly with a new picture or video each month or just one picture and lots of comments. The link could be shared with parents right from the beginning. They could also add comments.

At the end of the year each child would have ten months worth of positive affirmations about them to take with them into the next year. The VoiceThread could be burned onto a DVD for those families that struggle with internet access. (I work with a lot of very poor families and virtually all have a DVD player) Innovative schools could even sell additional copies to grandparents. I have seven grandchicklets and I promise you, I would find the bux to purchase something like this from each of them.

This is a way to provide feedback that builds learners up and is a way to engage multiple people in that process. It’s kind of like the pat on the back process where at the end of the year each child draws an outline of their hand an it’s passed around so others can write something they like about that person… this is the digital or 2.0 version.

I would also love to see VoiceThread used for larger scale, macro if you will, community engagement. Imagine using it to gather informal feedback about a school or class initiative. Or using it to share a special project or story about a class in general. Because of the way VoiceThread works you can control who has access, it can be moderated and it can be left open for adding comments, for as long as you want.

Ok, I rest my case. Leaving you with the VoiceThread that won me over in the first place.

What other ways can you think of to use VoiceThread or other kinds of collaborative technology to engage community or provide feedback?

Continue reading »]]> #leftcontainerBox { float:left; position: fixed; top: 60%; left: 70px; } #leftcontainerBox .buttons { float:left; clear:both; margin:4px 4px 4px 4px; padding-bottom:2px; } #bottomcontainerBox { width: 50%; padding-top: 1px; } #bottomcontainerBox .buttons { float: left; margin: 4px 4px 4px 4px; }

There seems to be ongoing confusion about social media strategy. The best quote I’ve seen regarding this comes from Olivier Blanchard‘s book Social Media ROI. He says:

Whenever I hear people say that their company either has or sells a “social media strategy”, I cringe. There is no such thing as a “social media strategy”. It is kind of like having a “telephone strategy” or an “email strategy”.

He’s right of course. Social media is an ever changing set of communication tools that you can use to support your business goals and strategies. Here’s a quick breakdown of how this works.

Values

People, especially small business miss this critical first step. Know what you value.

Vision

A clear and compelling vision of where you want to be based on your values.

Current Reality

A clear and objective view of where you are now.

Map the Gap

The gap between the vision and the current reality is where business strategy lays.

Research your Market

Who are your stakeholders, customers or clients. This should be ongoing. Who are they, where do they hang out, how are you going to connect with them?

Goals

Sometimes called objectives. This is where you want to get to. All goals should take you closer to your vision.

Targets

These are linked to Goals but they are more specific, measurable, acceptable, realistic and time-framed (yes, SMART). They are the steps you  take to reach your Goals.

Strategy

This is like a map. It should clearly show how you will get where you want to go. It includes an actionable plan you have created to navigate and close the gap between vision and current reality by reaching your targets and goals. A strategic plan is based on the vision, current reality and goals. The tactics and tools are chosen based on the goals.

You should have one “map” with several routes as there are multiple territories you need to navigate. You may have a Marketing Strategy, Customer Engagement Strategy, Sales Strategy, etc all with their own set of  aligned goals, targets and a variable set of tactics and tools.

Tactics

These are the methods or means of carrying out the strategy.

Tools

These are the things like social media, website, advertising, etc that you can use tactically.

Example

Here’s a example of how this might look for a small business specializing in upscale children’s clothing.

Values – We identified our values as a business and decided that customer service and quality goods were most important.

Vision – We are the most popular children’s store in our area. Customers are loyal and come back often. They tell their friends about us, raving about the friendly service and quality of goods.

Current Reality – We are lagging in sales and finding it hard to compete with the big box stores.

Map the Gap – There is a big gap between our vision and current reality. The concern is that we are giving up the vision in order to close the gap.

Research their Market – They know the demographics of their local community and have a clear picture of where their targeted customers spend time.

Goal #1 – Increase local, targeted shoppers, awareness of our store and products.

Targets – #1 – Increase foot traffic to store by 20% within 3 months. #2 – Increase Likes on our Facebook page by 30% in next 3 months.

Strategy - Use social media and local newspaper ads to increase local shoppers awareness of our store and build our reputation.

Tactics – Use game theory by launching a scavenger hunt contest that links our newspaper ads and our Facebook page and promote on all channels we are active in. To complete the scavenger hunt people will have to both Like our Facebook page and come into the store.

When people come into the store ensure they have an exceptional service experience.

Tools - Facebook, newspaper ads, in store promotional displays, QR Codes, Twitter, Pinterest and Foursquare.

The advantage of this process is that it’s measurable and keeps you aligned with the bigger picture – the vision of where you want to be.